Bringing in a true spirit of festive mood and unity among the community, the Thang Range Public Organisation begun the Tsokum Festival on October 4 at Buchesouh ground with multitudes of gathering to witness the full- on celebrations that included varieties of festival items.
Holding deep significance and meaning on the socio religions life of the Khiamniungan community, Tsokum festival is celebrated to invoke blessings for a bountiful harvest. It is a weeklong festival that falls in the first week of October and culminates on October 5.
“A person is born to create history and only commitment and strong determination while having value will lead to creating one,” said T. Musho Lam, President, Khiamniungan Sports Council, Guest speaker of the morning session Lamenting that modern advancements and technologies have caused the loss of cultures and traditions today, Lam asserted that it is the responsibility of the community to preach and pass down one’s cultures. The Guest Speaker also stressed on the various traditional games and sports possessing great value, and further emphasized on reviving one’s mother tongue which he suggested should be adopted in the educational institutions.
The morning session witnessed traditional dances and traditional sports and games while different, individuals, groups and NGOs opened exhibitions and stalls with both young and old filled with merry making.
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In the second session which was held in the evening at Whitehall, Noklak Village, Mulai.( RTD), Dy. Director Art & Culture graced the session as the Guest Speaker.
Acknowledging the TRPO’s contribution, Mulai said that TRPO plays an important role in the developmental – related activities under its range, adding that the importance of maintaining land economy is one such responsibility of the TRPO. Reflecting on how their forefathers had great value and respect, the Guest Speaker rued over the growing culture crisis today. Further, Mulai urged the community which he addressed as the ‘Legend Village’ to preserve and maintain the originality of one’s culture. Mulai also emphasized on practicing Khiamniungan dialect and one’s mother tongue in the educational institutions.
The evening session was followed by Soi – Soi- e dance ( a word equivalent to Word – Battle) and folk song competition which was won by the Thang Students’ Union.
